Website
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Nuclear Blast Records
Words: Craig Hartranft Added: 13.09.2014
It's difficult to muster the words to review another Threshold album. There are a great many terrific rock and metal bands, progressive and otherwise, and Threshold is definitely one of them. Their constant consistency and creativity allows them to continue to record genuinely intriguing and entertaining albums. For The Journey, their tenth studio album is simply another one.
When coming to another Threshold album, several elements always jump out. One is the strength of the arrangements which always develop from a deep melody and groove, no matter the length. To twist a phrase, 'the song's the thing' for Threshold. Underneath it all, this band seems to work from a foundation of melodic hard rock, and then they merely twist things up as necessary. For instance, the longest song The Box is one of those obvious progressive metal extravaganza, twisting and turning but, later, Lost In Your Memory moves with a current of AOR melodic rock, developed from a glistening piano. Yet, across this album, the songs also seemed heavier, the riffs deeper and bolder, the leads sharper
A second element, and possibly my favorite, is the vocals and vocal arrangements of Damian Wilson. There's something about his voice, the natural ease of presenting melody and passion in a smooth and compelling way. Some vocalists are merely singers delivering the lyrics. Wilson is more than that, a natural and necessary instrument that adds as much color as, say, the bass or drum line. Finally, the final element is the simple fact that Threshold has a knack for writing songs that sound really really good. They have a way of charming your ears with everything from melody to hooks, lyrics to guitar leads, vocals to stirring symphonic atmosphere. In other words, Threshold is pleasure to listen to, and isn't that the fundamental thing we want from our music. Buy this album, you won't be disappointed.
Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.
Threshold is one of those great rock/metal bands, progressive or otherwise, that creates great songs, songs of melody, groove, and intrigue, that simply sound really, really good. Quite recommended.
By far, Sweden's Eclipse is one of my favorite bands. Always consistent and always entertaining, Eclipse has been delivering their 21st century version of melodic metal rock since songwriter, producer ... [ Read More ]